October Emergency Preparedness Goals - Oils, Fats, & Fire Safety

Fall is my favorite time of year with so much to look forward to: the change of color on the trees, football games, the LDS General Conference, and food storage case lot sales. It's one of the best times to stock up on food storage.

This month my food storage focus is oils and fats. Our bodies need fats to absorb certain nutrients to help our bodies function. When I think of fats it reminds me of the tin man in the Wizard of Oz getting some much needed oil. He says, "Oil my arms, please. Oil my elbows." My body needs some oil too. :)

As we enter the holiday season, cooking oil, shortening, baking chocolate and chocolate chips go on sale. Of course I put Nestle Toll House Morsels in my food storage by buying a few bags at Costco when they go on sale. I store them in my freezer for the coming year. Always put something yummy in your food storage, since those little yummies can be a great stress relief during trying times. And they taste good too!

In October I buy a few cans of roast beef at Wal-mart or Sam's Club, and some beef or turkey jerky for my 3-month food storage supply. These items are too costly to buy a 3-month supply, so I only buy what I can afford. Some of you know how to dry your own beef, but this suburban mom just buys it.

It's important to store oil properly. Oil should NOT be stored in your garage where the heat will ruin it. Unopened vegetable oil has a 1-year shelf life, though it can be stored longer if you store it in a very cool (not freezing) location. Once opened the shelf-life is 4 - 6 months, so it's a good idea to write the date you open the bottle on the outside of it.

Oils should be stored in a dark location such as a closed cupboard or pantry. Olive oil has about a 6-month shelf life, but can be stored for a year in the refrigerator. To avoid using rancid oil, always smell it first. Sticks or canned shortening have a 2-year shelf life. Once opened, canned shortening has about a 1 year shelf life, but the sticks only have a 6-month shelf life. I just threw too many numbers at you didn't I. Many of you are fans of coconut oil, and since I'm not an expert on it, all I can say is it has a long shelf life so check the label.

Peanut butter is another item I stock up on this month, but remember it has a short shelf life of about 1 year. I usually keep a 6 month supply on hand in the small 18 oz. containers since we use it slowly. If you need help figuring out the shelf life of any food item, visit StillTasty.com or look at the expiration date the manufacturer put on the item. And remember to see if the date is truly an expiration date OR a best buy date. Many items can be stored beyond the best buy date, but be careful about oils as rancid foods can make you really sick. Yuck!

There are no long-term food storage items (20 to 30 year shelf-life) to gather this month, however continue to put a little bit of money in your emergency fund each week, and keep your emergency supply of drinking water up to date. How much water? At least one gallon per person for 14 days or at least 14 gallons per person. This can be used for drinking and cooking. If you live in Utah, cases of bottled water go on sale for about $2.50 at the case lot sales. That's about .10 per bottle for commercially prepared water. You can always get them at warehouse stores too.

My October emergency preparedness focus is fire prevention. It's time to test those smoke alarms, get your fire extinguisher tested, check that carbon monoxide alarm and have a mock fire drill. If you don't have a fire extinguisher, get one for very small fires. Never use on large fires. Just get out! The September 29 through October 23rd 2016 Costco coupon book has smoke detectors ($5 off), fire extinguishers ($8 off), and carbon monoxide dectors ($8 off) on sale.

DISASTER! No one likes that word, but the cleanup afterwards is awful. If you have time this month, put together a disaster cleanup kit. Many of these supplies can be found at your local dollar store. Or you may have some on hand already. Wouldn't it be nice to be ready to help your neighbors? The following video by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has a disaster cleaning bucket. I think they do a pretty good job!

That's it for October. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Decide what you CAN do this month, and do it! I'll post my October Emergency Prep Calendar in the next post.

Best Wishes,Valerie

BE FAITHFUL

"And inasmuch as they are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them."

STEP 2: STORE DRINKING WATER for times when your water supply is limited. I store a 2 week supply (14 gallons) per person. I buy cases of water, and store in barrels too. Drink some, buy or fill some more.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received one or more of the products or services mentioned in some of my posts for free. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” All opinions expressed on this blog are my own and all content is mine.

Though I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am not an official church representative. Suggestions about food storage, emergency preparedness, items to purchase, gather or store for your family are just that; suggestions. You are the best judge of what works for your family. You promise to release me from all liability for any suggestions or opinion which may cause harm to you or your family. Thank you!